Governor Pence 'Disappointed' by Ritz Accusation

Governor Pence 'Disappointed' by Ritz Accusation Created by kblakeslee on 12/5/2013 3:54:56 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Republican Gov. Mike Pence says he is ``disappointed'' Democratic Schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz is accusing him of a power grab.

Ritz released an internal Pence agency document Wednesday that talked about ways to curtail her control of the State Board of Education. A Pence spokeswoman said the governor immediately dismissed the idea when it was presented to him.

The memo and the accusation come amid a continuing fight over control of education policy. Ritz stormed out of a board meeting last month over a motion she said would shift more power to Pence's education agency.

Pence repeated Thursday that he will not pursue any changes in her status as board chairman.Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said earlier Thursday that he would block any attempt to alter power through legislation.